San Martin wildfire briefly threatens homes

About 10 acres of vegetation burned on a steep hillside in San Martin May 11, briefly threatening nearby homes before firefighters were able to contain the fire.
Local fire agencies responded to the blaze about 2:30 p.m. on the west side of Santa Teresa Boulevard, near the intersection of California Avenue.
The wildfire spread quickly at first, prompting authorities to use automated telephone services to alert nearby residents of the pending danger, according to Morgan Hill Fire Battalion Chief Jamie Norton. Residents were urged to evacuate, but that order was canceled by 3:30 p.m., when the fire became “100 percent contained.”
Calfire helicopters dumped several loads of water on the edges of the fire, while airplanes dropped red flame retardant chemicals on the site.
“We hit it hard with the air attack,” Norton said. About 50 firefighters from Calfire, MHFD, Santa Clara County and South County fire districts responded to the fire on the ground.
Norton added that a firefighter suffered a sprained ankle during the response, but did not require emergency treatment. That was the only injury reported due to the fire.
Billowing smoke from the blaze could be seen from across the valley. Two homes on top of the hill in the direct area of the fire were briefly threatened, but the threat was “mitigated” shortly after fire agencies arrived, Norton added.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to authorities.
A passerby on Santa Teresa Boulevard said the fire started in the brush on the west shoulder of Santa Teresa Boulevard, and speculated it was caused by a burning cigarette flicked out of a passing vehicle.